Elrich’s Festival Cancellation Marginalizes Montgomery County Latinos

Editorial

County Executive Marc Elrich’s decision to cancel the Wheaton Hispanic Heritage Festival has marginalized a community that makes up nearly a fourth of Montgomery County’s population.

There are almost a quarter-million Hispanic residents, the majority U.S. citizens, who live, work, and raise families in Montgomery County. Canceling a public celebration of their culture does not keep them safe; it signals that they should remain unseen because of who they are and where they come from.

Public gatherings like the Hispanic Heritage Festival are more than cultural celebrations. They are spaces where people unite, express pride, and invite the rest of the county to learn about and connect with their Latino neighbors. Elrich’s decision strips away that opportunity for visibility and understanding. Our Latino residents have been denied a chance to be seen, heard, and feel proud of their place in this community.

Instead of easing fear, the cancellation deepens it. Instead of fostering unity, it creates distance. Councilmember Natali Fani-González put it plainly: “This is a time for communities to come together, support each other, support local businesses and restaurants that need help right now. Hiding and canceling things is not the way to go.” This decision, however, communicates a message of fear and underscores the community's marginalization.

Montgomery County has long prided itself on diversity and inclusion. Canceling a cultural festival undermines that tradition and sends the wrong message. The Hispanic community is not peripheral—it is central to the county’s identity. Telling neighbors they belong in the shadows is contrary to the core values Montgomery County residents cherish.